Reading archaeologists reveal the Egyptian God of Secrecy

Archaeologists from the University of Reading have made the exciting discovery of the earliest representation of any Egyptian deity in Roman Britain.

The find was made during last year's excavation of Silchester Roman Town, which the University has been excavating and researching since 1997.

All the finds from 2009 have now been cleaned up and returned from the conservation team. Many fascinating artefacts were discovered but undoubtedly the find of last year was the bronze figurine of an Egyptian deity, Harpocrates.

Professor Michael Fulford, Director of the Silchester Field School, explained: "Finding Harpocrates was a big thrill for the team. The figurine was attached to part of a charcoal-burning brazier which would have been used to provide heating and lighting. This brazier is the only one found in England so we are doubly excited.

"The context of the brazier places its arrival in Britain and its disposal as rubbish within a period running from the mid-late 40s to the later 60s AD. The figurine is the earliest representation of any Egyptian deity in Roman Britain, and the link with the brazier, the sort of thing you would expect to find in Pompeii, is the first evidence of such a luxurious item from Roman Britain.

"In Egyptian mythology the figure is known as Horus the child of Isis and Osiris, although he was renamed Harpocrates by the Greeks. He is often shown with his finger on his mouth, a gesture that in Egypt represented the hieroglyph for his name but was misinterpreted by the Greeks and Romans, resulting in his adoption as the god of silence and secrecy."

On Saturday 31 July the public have a wonderful opportunity to find out more about Harpocrates and other fascinating Silchester finds. Visitors attending these Open Days are set for an intriguing look into how life really was in this Roman town.

There will be expert tours, talks on finds, demonstrations, and a range of children's activities, including tours, a mini excavation, dressing up, and handling finds.

The Silchester Field School takes place every summer for six weeks during which time all first year archaeology students at the University of Reading attend along with external participants from all over the world. They will be excavating Insula IX, one part of the large town at Silchester. The purpose of the excavation is to trace the site's development from its origins before the Roman conquest to its abandonment in the fifth century AD.

During the Field School, which runs until 8 August, visitors are welcome to see the excavation in progress every day, except Fridays, between 10:00am and 4:30pm. Groups must book in advance.

The Open Day will run from 10:00am to 4:30pm. For directions to the site, please visit www.silchester.rdg.ac.uk/directions